Stephen Frederick Neel

Stephen Frederick Neel, 69, of Palestine, Texas, went to be with our Lord and Savior on Saturday the 12th of October, 2024 surrounded by his loving family.

Stephen was born on the 16th of May, 1955 in Shreveport, Louisiana to parents Frederick Travis Neel and Genevieve Batavia Hill.

Stephen graduated from Palestine High School and went on to pursue a career following in his father's footsteps to become a certified gemologist, master jeweler, gold smith and appraiser. He earned many certifications from the Gemological Institute of America in Santa Monica, California. After traveling abroad for almost a year in Europe, he returned home to join the family business, Neel Jewelers. During his career as a trusted community jeweler he touched many lives by showing the same amount of attention and care to his clients as he did with their jewelry. His work was not only his profession but also his passion. He loved his work often saying if you enjoy your job you'll never work a day in your  life. Many times he would get so caught up in his work he would have to reheat his coffee 3 or more times.

His love for his family and friends was truly felt by the attentiveness he gave to everyone he came in contact with. You knew when you were talking to Steve you were heard. He had a love for people and truly enjoyed trying to understand how they were hard wired and what spiritual gifts they possessed. His love for Christ was evident by his strong desire for everyone to know Jesus as their own personal Savior. He loved his family dearly, never turning down an opportunity to be with them. Game nights, one on one talks and going to get a sweet treat were some of the small things he enjoyed most with his family.

He leaves behind his cherished wife of 39 years, Marilyn Ann Neel, sons Austin Frederick Neel, of Tyler, Texas, Jordan Boyd Neel of Plano, Texas and daughter Jenna Catherine Hayes and husband Rodney Blake Hayes of Tyler, Texas; his brother Gregg Neel and wife Lezlee, of Granbury,Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents Frederick and Genevieve Neel and sister Carla Rawson of Palestine, Texas.

A service to honor the life of Stephen Neel is to be held at one o'clock in the afternoon, Tuesday, the 15th day of October, 2024 at Southside Baptist Church with Dr. Dan Gold officiating. Interment will follow in New Emmaus Cemetery in Cherokee County, Texas.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Dave Williams, Travis Neel, Rodney Hayes, Dennis Toole, Ken Rawson, and Curtis Reynolds. David Mendiola and the Men's Class at Southside Baptist Church will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Funeral services for Stephen Frederick Neel are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas. Please visit online memorial tribute at www.rhonefuneralhome.com, where words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with his family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to The Gideon's International.

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